5 Dorm Room Accessories You Really Do Need

Dorm rooms are small. Really small. You'll see. But you can easily add to your storage space by purchasing a variety of bins and containers. Stack containers with slide-out drawers in a tall column that you can tuck into a small nook; these are good for items you want to keep easily accessible. If you haven't lofted your beds, slip long, flat containers underneath. Use those for items you don't need every day, such as the next season's clothing, or extra school and cleaning supplies. Store bulkier items in a trunk that can double as a table or extra seating [source: Dorm Smart]. Basically, you want to utilize every bit of open space that you can, whether it's on your floor or walls, under the bed or over the door, so think creatively [source: The Container Store].

Liberal use of storage containers means you'll be more organized, too, which is always beneficial for college students [source: College and Finance].